Commonwealth Procurement Specialist - Defence

Location: Canberra Airport, ACT
Contract: 31 August 2026 to 31 July 2027
Security clearance: Current Baseline clearance required
Working arrangements: Canberra-based, with flexible working at Defence's discretion

The opportunity

Pinaka Technology Solutions is seeking an experienced Commonwealth Procurement Specialist to support the Department of Defence's Joint Transition Authority.

We bring this opportunity to you via a prime contractor for Defence.

The engagement supports amendments to Defence's Transition Support Services contract following the establishment of the Veteran and Family Wellbeing Agency and the transfer of two transition-support work packages from Defence to the new agency.

The successful contractor will provide specialist procurement, contract management and commercial advice, with responsibility for helping develop, approve and execute the required contract changes by 30 June 2027.

Key responsibilities

You will:

• Provide specialist advice on complex Commonwealth procurement, contracting and commercial matters.
• Plan and coordinate the activities required to develop and implement contract amendments.
• Prepare contract change proposals, contract variations, work orders, evaluations, approvals and governance documentation.
• Advise on the application of the PGPA Act, Commonwealth Procurement Rules and related policies.
• Work closely with Defence Legal, Defence Privacy, the Non-Materiel Procurement Branch and relevant subject-matter experts.
• Identify and manage procurement, commercial and contractual risks.
• Support stakeholder consultation, engagement and negotiation.
• Prepare high-quality briefs, submissions, correspondence and procurement documentation.
• Review and quality-assure contract and procurement materials.
• Support Defence decision-making and governance processes.
• Help secure approval and implementation of the variations needed to transfer the identified work packages.

About you

You will bring:

• Substantial experience delivering Commonwealth Government procurement and contract management activities.
• Strong working knowledge of the PGPA Act, Commonwealth Procurement Rules and associated procurement frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing complex contract variations and contract change proposals.
• Experience preparing work orders, evaluation reports, approval documentation, governance papers and procurement briefs.
• Strong commercial judgement and procurement risk-management capability.
• Excellent written communication and document-quality assurance skills.
• The ability to provide clear, defensible advice to senior decision-makers.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, consultation and negotiation skills.
• The ability to work autonomously in a complex and sensitive government environment.
• A current Baseline security clearance.

Experience with Defence procurement, non-materiel procurement, complex services contracts or major machinery-of-government transitions will be highly regarded.

Key engagement conditions

• The role is based at Canberra Airport.
• Access to the Defence Protected Network will be required.
• Working from home or other flexible arrangements are at Defence's discretion.
• Travel and overtime are not required.
• Generative AI systems must not be used in delivering the contracted services.
• Direct applicants are preferred; further-tier subcontracting may not be permitted.

About Pinaka

Pinaka Technology Solutions is a Canberra-based technology recruitment and consulting SME supporting Australian Government clients with experienced, security-cleared professionals. Pinaka is led by senior technologists with extensive experience working across the Australian Federal Government.

How to apply

Please submit:

• Your current resume.
• A suitability statement (written as 3rd person) outlining your recent Commonwealth procurement and contract-management experience.
• Confirmation of your current security clearance.
• Your availability and proposed daily rate.

Why choose Pinaka

We know the government ICT market and we keep things straightforward. We take time to understand your background, your goals and the type of role that suits you. We believe transparency is about more than rates and our margins are fair and always disclosed.

What you can expect from us...

1. Fair, disclosed margins
2. Clear communication at every stage
3. Honest advice on fit and competitiveness
4. Visibility on submissions and process status
5. A professional and respectful experience

How you are paid...

You choose what's best for you.

1. PAYG through Pinaka
2. Third-party payroll
3. Self-employed (own ABN)

With a single, transparent and fixed margin, we ensure compliance to all state and payroll laws. So that is one less thing for you to worry about.

BYO CONTRACT

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Port in your contract to Pinaka for a simpler and more transparent experience. We also have some exciting limited time offers on top of the incredible margins we offer.

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